In France, the far-right National Rally party has taken the lead in the first round of the snap parliamentary elections, garnering an estimated 34 per cent of the vote. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party finished third, behind a coalition of left-wing parties. The unexpected results mark a significant setback for Macron, who called for the snap elections in response to a surge of far-right support during the European elections. Redmond Shannon provides further insight into the unfolding events.